Intrathoracic goiter: analysis of 21 cases

Goiters are classified into: the cervical, retrosternal, substernal and intrathoracic. The aim of research is to analysis of intrathoracic goiters (ITG) which include goiters with more than 80% of tissue in the thoracic cavity and intrathoracic thyroid choristomas.

In prospective non-randomized study were analyzed 21 consecutive patients operated on for intrathoracic non-toxic benign goiters from 1987-98. Fourteen patients with intrathoracic goiters (more than 80% of tissue in the thoracic cavity) and seven patients with intratoracic choristomas were operated. Two groups of ITG were observed according to the expressed symptomatology and surgical approach and complications of operative treatment were compared to the complications of operative treatment of 986 non-ITG non-toxic benign goiters.

ITG represented 1.1% of the whole number of operatively treated thyroid diseases. One third of patients were asymptomatic. Commonly observed symptoms were dispnea, stridor and dysphagia and there was no significant difference in appearance of these symptoms between the two groups of ITG. In 19% of patients correct preoperative diagnosis wasn't assessed. Cervical approach with sternothomy was used in 11 patients, cervical approach with right thoracotomy in seven, right thoracotomy only in two, and cervical approach only in one patient. Thoracic approach was used in 95% of cases and there was no significant difference between the two groups of ITG. Concerning the operative complications, in two patients transient vocal cord paresis and in one patient postoperative bleeding were verified. There was no statistically significant deference in frequency of operative complications between ITG and non-ITG.

ITG are rare, but might present a difficult diagnostic and complex surgical problem. Common clinical presentation and identical surgical approach in operative treatment justify the common review of the two groups of intrathoracic goiters. With adequate and timely performed surgical approach, in specialized institutions, frequency of complications in operative treatment of ITG is not higher if compared to operative treatment of non-ITG.